Hawkhill Community Centre: Greening the Heart of Alloa
In 2025, Hawkhill Community Centre was one of the successful recipients of the Climate Action Grants, delivered by FEL Scotland through the Forth Valley Climate Action Hub. This latest round of funding was delivered in partnership with Scotland’s International Environment Centre at the University of Stirling, and forms part of the broader City Region Deal.
Situated in the heart of Alloa, Hawkhill Community Centre has long served as a welcoming hub for the local community. With support from the grant, the centre was able to build on its environmental ambitions and develop meaningful climate-related projects tailored to the local area.
The funding enabled the centre to introduce a range of new initiatives, including a community food growing project, seasonal workshops focused on waste reduction and reuse, and the establishment of a community composting scheme. These activities have helped bring residents together while building local knowledge around climate action.
“Receiving the Climate Action Grant allowed us to accelerate ideas that had been sitting on the backburner for years,” said one project coordinator. “Now we’re seeing people come in not just to use the centre but to take part in growing sessions, food swaps, and even clothing repairs. It’s been transformative.”
Importantly, the centre has taken a strong educational approach. Through collaboration with local schools and youth groups, they’ve hosted climate awareness sessions, garden learning days, and even upcycling clubs for younger residents. These intergenerational activities have strengthened both community ties and collective environmental literacy.
Looking ahead, Hawkhill Community Centre plans to embed climate action in all aspects of its service delivery. By improving energy efficiency in the building, integrating sustainability into events, and exploring future funding opportunities, the team aims to make Hawkhill a beacon for community-led climate resilience in Clackmannanshire.
